After seeing flu cases on the rise in the county earlier this year, the Sharyland Independent School District helped prepare the community for the incoming flu season last weekend.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, the district held a flu clinic at the Sharyland High School campus where residents could receive a flu shot.

“We do this every year for the community,” Kristin York, head nurse for the district said Saturday. “Last year we had 100 people coming in to receive a flu shot and this year we decided to host two separate flu clinics at both of our high schools to be more convenient to residents on both sides of our district.”

At the flu clinic, health professionals with Pro-Care Health Services in Mission were on hand to give flu shots and a flu spray to visitors. For those without insurance, Pro-Care offered flu shots to minors for $5 and $20 for those over the age of 18.

New this year was a nasal spray that provided the vaccine for patients, giving people the option to avoid any needles.

“We do this every year when the flu starts to be more noticeable,” York said. “If you do it too early the community isn’t protected and can’t tell. If you wait too long then they won’t be protected.”

Earlier this year, the county saw an increase in people with the flu, according to a press release. In that release, dated last January, County. Health and Human Services Chief Administrative Officer Eduardo “Eddie” Olivarez said local hospitals, medical facilities and health officials along the U.S.-Mexico border reported an uptake in flu cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu season usually peaks in February, however, this year many states, including Texas, are already reporting widespread flu activity.

Symptoms of the flu include high fever, body aches and listlessness. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable to the virus.

“That’s why getting the flu vaccine is so important, it protects you and others around you and stops it from spreading,” York said. “When you don’t get vaccinated you risk getting the flu and if it’s not treated properly, it could accelerate into pneumonia and you can end up in the hospital. There’s also death cases every year from people who didn’t treat the flu. It’s a big issue. Last year I was working at a pediatrician’s hospital and there were so many young children with the flu and toddlers too young to receive a vaccine who had the flu and were struggling to fight it.”

If you feel you have the flu, you are encouraged to contact your physician immediately and schedule an appointment.